South African football fans have officially found their new favorite pastime: claiming Bafana Bafana’s breakout World Cup star, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, as family to impress their colleagues.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘TLB’ for his heavy-duty, aggressive defensive style, the 20-year-old center-back has the global football community talking after a spectacular individual showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite South Africa’s narrow knockout exit against Canada, Mbokazi’s elite stock has skyrocketed, with a massive European move now looking inevitable.
From the MLS to the English Premier League?
Mbokazi only moved from Orlando Pirates to MLS side Chicago Fire in January, but his stay in the United States looks destined to be short-lived.
Reports indicate that English Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest is actively pursuing the young defender. With his former Buccaneers teammate Relebohile Mofokeng heavily linked to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, the next generation of South African football is taking the world by storm.
Why ‘TLB’ Has Tongues Wagging
On social media, Mbokazi has achieved immediate celebrity status. He isn’t just a brutal enforcer at the back; his cultured left foot and world-class distribution out of defense have drawn praise from top analysts.
With Bafana Bafana’s historic World Cup run coming to an end, the focus shifts to the remaining global giants battling it out in the knockouts.
Remaining FIFA World Cup Round of 32 Fixtures
| Fixture | Date | Kick-Off Time (SAST) |
| Ivory Coast vs Norway | Tue 30 Jun | 19:00 |
| France vs Sweden | Tue 30 Jun | 23:00 |
| Mexico vs Ecuador | Wed 1 Jul | 03:00 |
| England vs DR Congo | Wed 1 Jul | 18:00 |
| Belgium vs Senegal | Wed 1 Jul | 22:00 |
| USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | Thu 2 Jul | 02:00 |
| Spain vs Austria | Thu 2 Jul | 21:00 |
| Portugal vs Croatia | Fri 3 Jul | 01:00 |
| Switzerland vs Algeria | Fri 3 Jul | 05:00 |
| Australia vs Egypt | Fri 3 Jul | 20:00 |
| Argentina vs Cabo Verde | Sat 4 Jul | 00:00 |
| Colombia vs Ghana | Sat 4 Jul | 03:30 |
